Monarchs in the Pros

January 22, 2016
By ODU Athletics

Monarchs in the ProsTaylor Heinicke (2011-14)BIOTwitter Quarterback – Atlanta, Ga./Collins HillCurrent Team: Minnesota Vikings (2015)First Monarch to make a 53-man roster out of training camp. Heinicke was 57-of-82 in the preseason for the Vikings. He was inactive for all 17 games. Heincke started the 2016 season on the non football injury last but was on the Vikings 53 man roster for the final eight games.

Rick Lovato (2011-14)BIOTwitterLong Snapper – Middletown, N.J./Middletown Team(s): Green Bay Packers (2015) Chicago Bears (2015) Washington Redskins (2016) Philadelphia Eagles (2016)First Monarch to play in an NFL regular season game when he played for the Packers in Week 16 against the Cardinals. Lovato played in four games total, two regular season and two in the postseason. Lovato was signed by the Washington Redskins in 2016 for two weeks when their long snapper went down with an injury, and then played the final three games of the season for the Eagles.

Deron Mayo (2011)BIOLinebacker – Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan/HofstraCurrent Team: Calgary Stampeders (2012-present)Mayo completed his fourth year with Calgary of the CFL and his third year as a starter at defensive end after playing linebacker in 2010 for the Monarchs. He helped the Stampeders win the Gray Cup in 2014 and has totaled 205 career tackles, 13 sacks and an interception.

Thomas DeMarco (2009-11)BIOQuarterback – Palm Desert, Calif./Palm Desert/College of the DesertCurrent Team – Ottawa REDBLACKS (2014-Present)Previous Team – BC Lions (2012-13)The first quarterback in ODU history has played in the CFL as a backup quarterback the last four years. This past season the REDBLACKS advanced to the Gray Cup finals. DeMarco was the backup quarterback for Ottawa behind the league's Most Outstand Player, Henry Burris. He completed one pass for seven yards and had two rushes for 22 yards. He also punted 12 times for an average of 38.3 yards per punt.

Previous Monarchs in the NFLRonnie Cameron (2010-11)Defensive Tackle – Westbury, N.Y./Holy Trinity/HofstraTeam(s): Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles (2012)Cameron was the first Monarch to be placed on a 53-man roster for the Browns in 2012. He was active for two games but did not play.

D.J. Morrell (2012-13)Offensive Line – Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk/Dean JCTeam(s): Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills (2014)Originally an undrafted free agent signee of the Lions, Morrell was in training camp with the Rams and was one of the final cuts of camp. He was signed to the Bills practice squad for the entire 2014 season.

Craig Wilkins (2009-12)Linebacker – Washington, D.C./H.D. WoodsonTeam(s): Seattle Seahawks (2013), Calgary Stampeders (2014)The all-time leading tackler in ODU history was in training camp with the Seahawks in 2013 before trying out with the Stampeders in 2014. He retired from professional before the season and is currently a graduate assistant coach for the Monarchs.

Larry Pinkard (2011-13)Wide Receiver - Washington, D.C./BallouTeam(s): Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders (2015)Pinkard was in training camp with the Pinkard and performed well, catching five passes for 140 yards including a 77-yard touchdown catch in the final preseason game. He was waived injured and picked up later in the season by the Raiders and placed on its practice squad.

Antonio Vaughan (2011-14)Wide Receiver - Ahoskie, N.C./Hertford CountyTeam: Arizona Rattlers (2016)The all-time leading receiver in school history, Vaughan was invited to try out with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2015 NFL Draft. He was recently signed by the Arizona Rattlers of the AFL.